While the 2012 primary and caucus calendar is still in flux and subject to change, here's an early look when each state plans on holding their nominating contests. View text version of the schedule.

Iowa

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South Carolina

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New Hampshire

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Florida

January 2012

The 2012 primary and caucus schedule gets an early start this time around, with Florida jumping the gun and setting its primary for Jan. 31. That has forced the early states of Iowa, South Carolina and likely New Hampshire to jump into January, in order to maintain their traditional "first" statuses. Now, much like 2008, the competition for president will begin in the chilly Midwest just after New Years Day.

January 3

Iowa caucuses

January 10

New Hampshire presidential primary

January 21

South Carolina Republican presidential primary

January 31

Florida presidential primary

Nevada

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Colorado

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Arizona

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Michigan

February 2012

The race for the nomination will now be well underway, with the early states setting the pace. Nevada, Colorado, Arizona and Michigan are now in play, with strong states and many delegates at stake. There could be not one, but several mini "Super Tuesdays" in February.

February 4

Nevada caucuses

February 7

Colorado Republican caucuses

Minnesota Republican caucuses

Missouri presidential primary

February 11

Maine Republican caucus

February 28

Arizona Republican primary

Michigan Republican primary

South Carolina Democratic presidential primary

February 29

Wyoming Republican cacuses

Ohio

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Georgia

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Virginia

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Massachusetts

March 2012

The South will be in play in March, with Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama among states at stake. Ohio is considered a swing state and will be in play. But all eyes will be on Tuesday, March 6, where 11 states and territories will compete in the mother of all "Super Tuesdays" for GOP contests.

March 3

Washington Republican caucuses

March 6

Alaska Republican caucuses

American Samoa Democratic caucuses

Colorado Democratic caucuses

Georgia presidential primary

Idaho Republican caucuses

Massachusetts presidential primary

North Dakota Republican caucuses

Ohio presidential primary

Oklahoma presidential primary

Tennessee presidential primary

Vermont presidential primary

Virginia presidential primary

March 7

Hawaii Democratic caucuses

March 10

Guam Republican caucuses

Kansas Republican caucuses

Northern Mariana Island Republican caucuses

Virgin Islands Republican caucuses

March 11

Maine Democratic caucuses

March 13

Alabama presidential/state primary

American Samoa Republican caucuses

Hawaii Republican caucuses

Mississippi presidential/state primary

Utah Democratic caucuses

March 17

Republican Missouri county caucuses

March 18

Puerto Rico Primary

March 20

Illinois presidential/state primary

March 24

Louisiana presidential primary

March 31

Arizona Democratic caucuses

Maryland

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New York

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Pennsylvania

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D.C.

April 2012

The Northeast and nation's capital region will dominate attention in April, with largely left-leaning primaries in D.C. and Maryland and big New York drawing Democratic attention. But Pennsylvania, with big splits between its liberal cities and the more conservative southwestern steel towns, could make it interesting.

April 3

District of Columbia presidential/district primary

Maryland presidential/state primary

Wisconsin presidential primary & spring election

April 9

Alaska Democratic caucuses

April 14

Idaho Democratic caucuses

Kansas Democratic caucuses

Nebraska Democratic caucuses

Wyoming Democratic caucuses

April 15

Washington Democratic caucuses

April 24

Connecticut presidential primary

Delaware presidential primary

New York presidential primary

Pennsylvania presidential/state primary<

Rhode Island presidential primary

Indiana

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North Carolina

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Oregon

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West Virginia

May 2012

The Midwest state of Indiana and the southern states of North Carolina, Kentucky, Arkansas and West Virginia are considered key to any presidential victory, and will be tough battlegrounds for any potential nominee. Fairly liberal Oregon will be offset by more conservative Idaho out west, and Nebraska will be a battleground for the Republicans.

May 1

Democrats Abroad primary

May 5

Florida Democratic caucuses

Guam Democratic presidential primary

Michigan Democratic caucuses

May 8

Indiana presidential/state primary

North Carolina presidential/state primary

West Virginia presidential/state primary

May 15

Nebraska Republican primary

Oregon presidential/state primary

May 22

Arkansas presidential/state primary

Kentucky presidential/state primary

May 29

Texas presidential/state primary

California

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New Mexico

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New Jersey

June 2012

The ultimate Republican nominee will likely be clarified by June, but big states of California, Ohio and New Jersey still hold a large number of delegates. Look for the Plains state of South Dakota to be an easy win for whoever is the GOP favorite.

June 3

Puerto Rico Democratic caucuses

Virgin Islands Democratic caucuses

June 5

California presidential/state primary

Montana presidential/state primary

New Jersey presidential/state primary

New Mexico presidential/state primary

North Dakota Democratic caucuses<

South Dakota presidential/state primary

June 26

Utah Republican closed primary

July 2012

There are no primaries or caucuses currently scheduled in July. Campaigns traditionally use this month to regroup and start to prepare for the conventions and general election.

August 2012

There are no primaries or caucuses currently scheduled in August but the Republican convention is at the end of the month, August 27 in Tampa. The Democrats meet a few days later, on September 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina.